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To coincide with Scientology founder, L Ron Hubbard‘s birthday, internet-based group Anonymous took to the streets worldwide once again in protest against the so-called religion.

The last protest took place a month ago, in the same locations – outside Church of Scientology buildings.

On the way there:

The first part of the protest took place outside the main Church of Scientology building in Blackfriars.

Quite a few vehicles honked!

Hand-made/written signs make protests so much more interesting I find, unlike mass-printed ones, like these. That shot was actually taken at another protest today – the annual Stop The War demonstration. The turnout is always great, which I guess is the main thing, but originality is definitely lacking! From a photographer’s point of view, it’s really a case of looking around lots to find someone who stands out. Anyway, more on that in another blog.

There was cake! Lots of cake actually..

What a lovely bunch of protesters, I have to say. So many of them offered chocolates/cakes/biscuits. One of them told me they were celebrating a “very important birthday” and they then broke out into song, singing Happy Birthday to L. Ron. Hilarious stuff.

You can just about make out a person taking pictures from inside the doors. Interestingly enough, when I asked a volunteer from the Church of Scientology if I could go inside the building to have a look and get more information on them, I was told I couldn’t because the Church had their “focuses elsewhere” today. Charming! However, I can understand they’re probably wary of protesters walking into the building for security purposes.

The all-famous book displayed in the window, which I haven’t read.. yet.

Before dismissing a “religion” completely, I try to read as much about it as possible. I’ve read a lot of the reasons why people are against this “cult” as they put it, which is quite persuasive, I must admit.

The turnout was even better than the previous time they protested.

The policemen did a fab job – they were really amiable and talkative, especially the one above, on the left. I gave him my website, so if you’re reading this Mr. Nice Policeman, hello!

Longcat is loooooong.

People from inside the building obviously found the protest interesting:

Not so anonymous

Full-view:

Unfortunately, I only listened in for a moment.

A policewoman turns down the appealing offer of a Penguin bar!

The protesters then went to Tottenham Court Road to demonstrate outside the Scientology Centre there.

Full-view this next one to read the text on the jumper, which I didn’t notice when I took the shot.

This woman was yelling something about Japan which I really didn’t understand, and I didn’t ask her to repeat it. I think I was scared, actually.

So, we’ve seen what Anonymous think of Scientology, but what does Scientology think of Anonymous?

In terms of protests, this is definitely the most entertaining and fun one I’ve been to. There was music, dancing, cake (CAKE! I’m still not over this), singing, and a wide variety of masks/signage. In terms of objectives (publicity?), I noticed that in the last protest, no TV coverage was given to the protest. I didn’t see any newspaper coverage given either (at least in the UK), not even in London’s Metro paper, which occasionally brings us stories and pictures of obscure protests. I do wonder why this is. Maybe I’ll write in and ask!

If you want to know what Scientology likes to journalists who dare investigate them honestly, look up the story of Paulette Cooper and the cult’s “Operation Freakout”.

(Short summary: They tried very hard and using very criminal means to frame her for making threats towards them. CoS is now claiming to have received threats from Anonymous. Apparently, they only have that ONE strategy!)

http://tanya-n.com/4chan2/IMG_1334b.jpg
Fucking perfect frame, I’d say. The composition, everyone’s gestures, even down to the color play (love how the polices’ uniform and the protester’s outfit basically consist of black & yellow/green color), everything is damn nice. Well seen and captured!

Your journalistic side is definitely growing better over time, Tanya, it’s been a delight to see that. :)

Lisa:
This has only been the 2nd protest in 2 months, while more will come, I doubt you it can be considered as constant, we also have lives that need to be lived and constant picketting is probably not an option.

We stay open minded because we have seen things more horrible than you think, know that they are inevitable, and have been able to keep a great sense of humour, as much about ourselves as about the rest.
While the mocking of the belief may say the opposite, I think “live and let live” applies here, we don’t care about what they want to believe in, to most religious authorities, other religious beliefs are wrong, and Tom Cruise said it himself, the CoS believes itself to be the authority.
I would have preffered the protest to be a bit more exposition oriented, as most of it was flooded by memes and partying. I do not know about the second part as I had to go to work, but I gave to the people with the megaphones a letter from the freezone dating back 1983, explaining how even for scientologists, the so called “Church” was corrupt.

Hey, I’m that girl 5 pics down with the big red “cult” arrow. You got some quality photographs right here :) My favourite is http://tanya-n.com/4chan2/IMG_1315b.jpg, I love the depth of focus and the colours.

looked fun! I guess I missed out but I wouldn’t make it anyway. I wonder why there’s so much about this cult lately. I wouldn’t even care they existed. maybe its making them slightly more famous. maybe there’s need for a protest. I couldn’t tell.
nice coverage! you’re turning into a regular protest shooter!

Aww, sorry. I refused you a photo outside the tube station at the vic protest. I’d just read a sign that said “Anonymous Scifag Spys present” so I was a bit jumpy. If you’re attending future protests feel free to take as many as youw ant.

(I was the guy in the grotesque mask and surgical gloves, leather jacket)

Thank you so much for the wonderful coverage! I’ve sent this ink to many friends and family so they could get an idea of what it was like. I’m glad you had a good time and we will welcome you to any future protests.

i sometimes wonder why people protest against scientology. i’m not religious at all, so i could just as easily say EVERY religion deserves to be protested against. the catholic church, for example, has done untold damage to the world in the past several hundred years, and no one mounts any protests against it. my guess is that people protest against scientology because it’s trendy to do so, and cooler and less risky than protesting against the catholic church, because that might offend somoene.

superkev, Anon protests because CoS is fucking batshit INSANE. It’s a radical mockery of a religion. The Catholic church may have caused more damage than you can shake a shroom at, but they didn’t charge people to follow the religion.